Ornament Glass at the Deichman Library | Lamberts

Lamberts manufactures profiled glass solutions designed for durable, high-performance architectural applications across façades and exterior building envelopes. For the new Deichman Library in Oslo, Lamberts' patterned EcoGlass was selected to support the building’s insulation performance while delivering soft, diffused natural light across the interior.

Designed by Atelier Oslo and Lund Hagem, the Deichman Library was conceived as an inviting cultural hub that encourages exploration. The librarians sought a building that would inspire visitors to discover the full range of modern library offerings, which led the architects to develop an open, dynamic structure filled with shifting views, varied atmospheres, and a sense of continuous movement. Because the site is compact, the building cantilevers dramatically over the surrounding streets and public plaza—most notably a nearly 20-meter projection that forms a sheltered entrance and presents the library prominently to the city while preserving views toward the neighboring Opera House. These cantilevered levels are supported by a folded roof structure whose geometry provides the necessary strength.

To enhance the connection between the library and the city, the ground floor facade is fully transparent, welcoming visitors through three equal entrances oriented in different directions. Inside, diagonal light shafts cut through the building from each entry point, connecting the floors and distributing daylight from large skylights at the roof. The interior is organized around three freestanding book towers, which free the facades for generous daylight and frame a central open public space animated by varied furniture and activities.

The facade incorporates alternating insulated panels and narrow glass panels, using Lamberts patterned EcoGlass to balance high thermal performance with diffused natural light. The patterned, translucent glass softens the contrast between transparent and opaque elements and produces a uniform interior illumination that supports reading, study, and public gathering. By keeping the facade relatively closed, the design emphasizes the vertical light shafts and the building’s internal life while strategic panoramic windows at the corners offer views outward, creating moments of openness and spatial tension. The glass contributes to the building’s visual identity, functional performance, and long-term durability.